Gwadar fishermen call off strike

Decision comes after negotiations with govt and GDA officials

QUETTA: The striking fishermen of the coastal district of Gwadar have called off their protest for a month after successful negotiations with authorities concerned of the provincial government and Gwadar Port Authorities (GDA) on Sunday.

Official sources said that the GDA Chairman Mir Dostain Khan Jamaldini, officials of the provincial government held negotiations with the leader of Fishermen Alliance, Khuda-i-Dad Wajo at the camp set up since the strike began, where a large number of fishermen were present.

Jamaldini and Additional Deputy Commissioner Anis Ahmed Gorgage said that the demands of the fishermen were justified and the provincial government has accepted all of them.



They said that Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has issued orders to the GDA regarding designing and constructing a jetty in Gwadar.

The fishermens’ demands included a passageway to the sea for fishing from the eastern side of Gwadar coast. They were of the view that with the construction of East-Bay Expressway fishermen would
be denied access to the sea where they had been fishing for centuries.

Wajo, a local fisherman, told The Express Tribune: “We want protection of our century-old livelihood”. He said the decision to call off strike was announced after negotiations with GDA chairman and provincial government officials. However, he said if the demands are not met within one month the fishermen will again launch their protest and strike.

Provincial Minister for Information Zahoor Buledi, MNA from Gwadar Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, Senator Kohda Babar and MPA of the area Hamal Kalmati played important role in raising voice in favour of fishermen.